David Cronenberg is best known for his films that explore how the human body can be transformed, typically in pretty gruesome fashion. His newest feature, The Shrouds, continues that with a somber examination of death, grief, and their intersection with modern-day technology—and by letting the filmmaker get a little more personal.
Set in a “deceptively placid near-future,” the film centers on Karsh (Vincent Kassel), a tech entrepreneur who’s been using new software to watch his dead wife (Diane Kruger) decay in real time. Just as he’s ready for this Shroud tech to get a wider release, all the graves currently using it get smashed up. Soon, Karsh finds himself scrambling to figure out what’s going on and uncertain who to trust—up to and potentially including his wife’s sister, who he’s started sleeping with and is also played by Kruger.
Cronenberg wrote The Shrouds following the death of his wife Carolyn in 2017, which gives extra weight to moments in the trailer like Karsh’s opening line about wanting to join his late wife in the coffin. The logline calls the film a “profoundly personal reckoning with grief and a descent into noir-tinged dystopia,” which is all present in the preview, along with a slight dash of comedy. Cronenberg screened the film at Cannes 2024, where it racked up solid reviews from critics.
Also starring Guy Pearce and Sandrine Holt, The Shrouds will premiere on April 18 in New York and LA ahead of its larger theatrical release on April 25.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Trending Products

Lenovo Latest 15.6″ Laptop computer, Intel Pentium 4-core Processor, 15.6″ FHD Anti-Glare Show, Ethernet Port, HDMI, USB-C, WiFi & Bluetooth, Webcam (Home windows 11 Residence, 40GB RAM | 1TB SSD)

Thermaltake V250 Motherboard Sync ARGB ATX Mid-Tower Chassis with 3 120mm 5V Addressable RGB Fan + 1 Black 120mm Rear Fan Pre-Installed CA-1Q5-00M1WN-00

Sceptre Curved 24-inch Gaming Monitor 1080p R1500 98% sRGB HDMI x2 VGA Construct-in Audio system, VESA Wall Mount Machine Black (C248W-1920RN Sequence)

HP 27h Full HD Monitor – Diagonal – IPS Panel & 75Hz Refresh Rate – Smooth Screen – 3-Sided Micro-Edge Bezel – 100mm Height/Tilt Adjust – Built-in Dual Speakers – for Hybrid Workers,Black

Wi-fi Keyboard and Mouse Combo – Full-Sized Ergonomic Keyboard with Wrist Relaxation, Telephone Holder, Sleep Mode, Silent 2.4GHz Cordless Keyboard Mouse Combo for Laptop, Laptop computer, PC, Mac, Home windows -Trueque

ASUS 27 Inch Monitor – 1080P, IPS, Full HD, Frameless, 100Hz, 1ms, Adaptive-Sync, for Working and Gaming, Low Blue Gentle, Flicker Free, HDMI, VESA Mountable, Tilt – VA27EHF,Black
